USC Football: ​​Caleb Williams Mulls Over 2024 NFL Draft. What It Means For The Trojans and Williams

Will Williams return to USC for his senior year or be the consensus number-one overall pick in next year's NFL Draft?

USC junior Heisman trophy winner Caleb Willaims turned many heads this week as he announced that he's not a surefire for the 2024 NFL Draft. 

He told ESPN reporter Pete Thamel that he won't know until after this season. 

“That’s for sure now going to be an in-the-moment decision at the end of the year,"

“It’s my third year, and the dream and goal was to go three-and-out. Being around these guys and in college and enjoying it, we’ll have to see at the end of this year.”

(via ESPN)

USC football had made waves in many different ways this week, and you could add this to the list. Every columnist, expert, pundit, and their momma has Williams as a lock for the 2024 NFL Draft. He's garnered so much praise from people in the college and NFL world; some went so far as to say that his game resembles Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

That's some high praise, and Williams can add to that in 2023. Many argued that Willaims could have entered the NFL Draft in 2023 and possibly go number one, but to now hear he might stay another year is quite a surprise.

What could it mean for Williams and the Trojans if he were to stay for his senior year? 

For one thing, the Trojans would be among the favorites to win the college football playoff (that could remain the case without him). USC would be entering the Big 10 with the best quarterback in the country; that would be a huge help as the Big 10 is arguably the best conference in the country. Another thing is William could build his legacy at USC and solidify the Trojans as QBU and aim for another Heisman trophy in the process. 

Many of these would benefit the school and program more than Williams. If Williams chooses the NFL, he would be the consensus number-one overall pick in 2024, earn himself a good contract, and compete in the greatest league in the world. He'll be in a lousy team, but there's no doubt that if he is what we believe he can be, he'll take that team to the next level immediately. For USC, they'll be moving on to another quarterback, and that won't be the worst thing in the world; Riley could go to the transfer portal, or he can roll with one of his current QBs in Malachi Nelson, Miller Moss, or Jake Jensen. Either way, Riley could turn any of those guys into one of the premier college QBs in the country. 

Nonetheless, I don't think Williams returns for his senior year to continue playing in LA. The NFL would be the right move, and no one would blame him for leaving for the next level. No USC fan would complain if he stayed for one more year as well. 

The 21-year-old has plenty of time to make his decision, and it's clear he only has the 2023 season on his mind. The rest will take care of itself when the time comes.